In the slightly rolling territory between Walterville and Leaburg, I spotted this barn.  In a pasture next door were cows, while another not far off held goats.  Alpacas are also raised in this area. 

The highway follows the river, but so do people.  All along the lower McKenzie vacation cottages and homes dot the riverbanks or are tucked away in secluded groves.

I'd always stayed on the highway before, but today I decided to explore some of the side roads, where I found larger homes.  In typical Oregon style, they're not ostentatious, but the houses themselves and the amount of surrounding land show that these are not the homes of farmers and laborers. 

Near the house above I came across this creek stair-stepping its way in the direction of the river.  English ivy, visible on the tree trunks, is a huge problem in Oregon.  The abundant rain here makes the ivy grow at a tremendous rate, scaling trees and eventually choking them.

Nature's vibrant palette is visible everywhere now, brightening the landscape in spite of clouds and the occasional shower.